Sold public property in Dungannon makes government £126,000

Annie Stewart

Of 21 publicly owned sites offered for sale in Dungannon District over the last five years, five were sold and one was leased, making the public purse a total of £126,000.

In a question to the Department of Finance (DFP), UUP MLA Michael Copeland asked for a list of the publicly owned assets for sale since 2009.

With further investigation into the future of the properties listed, the Times has discovered that Dungannon Council is considering a request to lease land in Gortgonis, Coalisland to a nearby Irish Language school.

Speaking about the possible future of the site, a council representative said: “The land is the subject of a request to lease... and Land and Property Service is currently advising on lease tariff.”

TransportNI, which held ownership of four sold sites, brought in £26,000.

Land on Killyliss Road made £21,000, while two of the other sites they sold, changed hands for just £500 each.

“This year we are working towards achieving some £1.3m of disposal income from the sales of surplus land,” a spokesperson said - which “has already been adjusted for in the budget by DFP”.

NI Water sold Moygashel Depot for £100,000 which will be “retained by the company” for capital investment in water and sewerage infrastructure, according to John Collins.

While former railway track lands in Coalisland are still up for grabs from the Department of Social Development, and a spokesperson said any money made will support future programmes.